OAP admits gun charges

A pensioner could be sent to prison after admitting illegally possessing guns and ammunition.

Percy Hermitage, of Mead Court, Cannons Mead, Stansted, pleaded guilty to possessing an automatic-loading pistol with a barrel of less than 30 centimetres; a Saxby and Palmer .177 self-contained gas cartridge air pistol and a .22 double action revolver, without authority.

The 85-year-old further admitted possessing a Victor .22 calibre rifle, two .22 calibre rounds of ammunition, as well as a hollow-point bullet without permission.

The offences came to light on August 31 last year,

Hermitage claimed to have had the weapons since the 1960s and although the offences attract a minimum five-year prison term, the court is set to hear submissions from his lawyers that there are “exceptional circumstances” which would encourage the judge to pass a lesser sentence.

Marc Brown, representing Hermitage, told Judge David Turner he would be obtaining a medical report before his client is sentenced on February 13 at Chelmsford Crown Court.